According to the Secret Service, on Monday night, a U-Haul truck collided with security barriers surrounding Lafayette Square, which is located across the street from the White House. The driver of the truck, identified as Sai Varshith Kandula, a 19-year-old from Chesterfield, Missouri, was subsequently apprehended. It was reported that the driver was in possession of a Nazi flag at the time of the incident.
The U.S. Park Police has now officially named the driver as Sai Varshith Kandula. Authorities have confirmed that charges will be pressed against him, including assault with a dangerous weapon and making threats of harm towards the president, vice president, or their family members.
The collision occurred shortly before 10 p.m. as stated in a tweet by Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi.
“There were no injuries to any Secret Service or White House personnel and the cause and manner of the crash remain under investigation,” Guglielmi stated.
NEW: Investigators pulled what appears to be a Nazi flag out of the U-Haul, but they haven't provided any further details.
— Troy Pope (@troycpope) May 23, 2023
Here's what we know: https://t.co/cXt81Ji2NA pic.twitter.com/jBsb1uPJA3
Law enforcement authorities were observed examining the truck involved in the incident. Around 11 p.m., the back of the truck was opened, and it seemed that robots were deployed to assess whether there were any hazardous items within.
In a subsequent tweet, Guglielmi stated, “The truck has been deemed safe by D.C. police and preliminary investigation reveals the driver may have intentionally struck the barriers.”
According to a law enforcement source cited by CBS News, the individual involved in the incident is a United States citizen. Upon entering Lafayette Square, the person made threatening statements directed towards President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as stated by the same source. It was confirmed that there were no explosives or weapons found in the vehicle.
The source mentioned the involvement of the FBI in the investigation, and it was determined that the individual did not appear on any watch lists. Overnight checks revealed no significant criminal record associated with the individual.
U.S. Park Service police have reported that the driver was apprehended and is facing multiple charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, making threats of harm or kidnapping against the president, vice president, or their family members, destruction of federal property, and trespassing.
At the time, the authorities had not yet disclosed the identity of the individual.
